Cantrell references investigations in first comments since allegations of bribery

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell referenced the federal investigation surrounding her office when she delivered her budget proposal to the New Orleans City Council on Tuesday.

"How I came in seems to be how I'm going out: accusation after accusation after accusation," Cantrell said. "But also a track record of delivering results."

A federal grand jury last week indicted Randy Farrell, owner of local building inspection firm EICI, on charges including bribing public officials identified, although not by name, as Cantrell and Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montaño.

Farrell's company does safety inspections for local government permitting offices, including New Orleans. That arrangement prohibits Farrell from working as an electrician in the city.

But the indictment says Farrell used other electricians' names to obtain permits for electrical work, and then got paid by the city to inspect his own work.

Farrell comes into Cantrell's orbit by way of a former deputy director at the Department of Safety & Permits, Jennifer Cecil. Cantrell fired Cecil in 2019, reportedly after Cecil raised concerns about Farrell's allegedly falsified permits.

The indictment alleges Farrell supplied gifts to Cantrell and Montaño including football tickets, trips to restaurants, and a new phone.

Neither Cantrell nor Montaño have been accused of a crime.